Discussion

Best lunch between sea-tac and port angeles?

checking back in as my plan has changed and now am heading towards the wedding from Seatac instead of into Seattle first. So I'm looking for a great lunch spot on the road. We'll have been up since 5 or so NY time, so we're probably looking for someplace closer to Tacoma than Port Angeles, but am happy to take all suggestions. would like to keep it under 20 bucks per person.

participant 1 is a pescatarian that is mostly vegetarian but also eats fish with scales sometimes.participant 2 is an omnivore that enjoys shrimp, crap and lobster, but not so much the fish with scales and doesn't really eat indian or ethiopian food.

unless its amazing, we've got plenty of italian, greek, middle eastern, and latin american food here. someplace uniquely washington state would be great, but i'll also settle for a tasty inexpensive meal on the road. Tacoma recs are welcome, as are any road spots between the airport and olympic park.

Just to clarify, Tacoma is south of SeaTac Airport, and Port Angeles is way, way north. So you land at the airport, head south to Tacoma and then will head up to Port Angeles via the Tacoma Narrows bridge and avoid Seattle altogether? Or are you planning on doubling back via Seattle and taking the ferry across the Sound to Port Angeles?

acgold7 is absolutely right. Recommend that you check a map and decide which is route is more efficient. If this is a weekend and you take the ferry, be forewarned that you might need to be at the terminal 30-60 minutes ahead of the boat that you want. Oddly enough, there is nothing particularly unique to Washington State (i.e., no Philly cheesesteak sandwich, or Chicago style pizza). Local cuisine here depends on fresh quality local ingredients--salmon, crab, mussels, clams, berries, apples, wild mushrooms, etc.. Once you get out of Seattle, the pickings can be very slim, with some notable exceptions, but not likely where you are headed.

shoot, shoulda checked this again last night. yes, the plan is to head south, through tacoma and back up north, and avoid the ferry. So, between the airport, tacoma, and port angeles, any thoughts? thanks!

Got it. So I see you've wisely posted on the PNW board, where you'll likely get some good responses. I wish I knew more about the route you'll be taking but I haven't gone that way recently. Unfortunately, it's not along the water or along Hood canal, where you'd likely run into some very cool Oyster Shacks, so I'm not sure about what kind of quirky Road Food you might run across (literally and figuratively).

If you two are hungry and wanting a nice meal (not sure what time you will be arriving, of course), right near the airport - literally 5 minutes away, is Cederbrook Lodge, which has wonderful NW Chowhound worthy food. It might be nice to go directly there, freshen up, have lunch, and then head out on your roadtrip.

I'll second that! Cedarbrook Lodge and its Copperleaf restaurant are terrific and very close proximity to SeaTac. I think this would be the "pause that refreshes" and gives you the stamina for the roadtrip into Port Angeles!